Is there a Trump Doctrine?

Is there a Trump Doctrine?

July 17, 2017

Political analysts continue to deplore the infamous Trump decision in reference to America's departure from the Paris Climate Accord.
At this point in time, it will be remembered how, seven months ago, the United States led the international world in putting together the agreement to "reduce...

Political analysts continue to deplore the infamous Trump decision in reference to America’s departure from the Paris Climate Accord.
At this point in time, it will be remembered how, seven months ago, the United States led the international world in putting together the agreement to “reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in an attempt to prevent the worst effects of human-caused climate change.” That historical coming together of numerous nations happened before the 2016 presidential election.
Trump, the 45th president of America, on the 134th day of his presidency zeroed in on his rejection of the Paris Climate Accord, thus removing the nation from its stature as a global leader. Numerous voices were heard in opposition to the Trump decision as America joined the company of only two other nations.
His rejection of the Accord over and above the objections raised not just among global political leaders and Pope Francis, but even of Exxon Mobil, boiled down to this conclusion by the aforementioned analysts: “The United States will cease to be part of the solution to the problem.”
Furthermore, scientific opinion has been distinctive: the United States will put itself squarely on the other side and clearly, it will be a signal that it will bolster the credibility of the climate-change deniers, the anti-science hucksters and the irresponsible corporate cynics.
Already, the near future seems to be foretold: it will strike a powerful blow “against the common good from the coast of California to the melting permafrost of northern Alaska to the flood-prone lowlands located along America’s rivers to the hurricane-ravaged communities along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.”
What has been foreseen by the scientific world: “Globally, it could set the world on track to what climate scientists agree: will be intensified floods, famines and storms, rising seas and mass migrations fueling strife over water scarcity, declining food production and epidemics.”
How it will affect America’s role in the world has been foretold: the negative Trump decision causes enormous injury to this country’s reputation and to its leadership role in the world.
The only two nations that didn’t sign on to the Paris agreement are Nicaragua and Syria.
Nicaragua said “no” based on the opinion that the Accord is nonbinding, and the goal of capping emissions at 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels is too low. It didn’t sign because the deal wasn’t good enough, compared with Trump’s claim that it’s a “bad deal” for the US.
The other non-signer is war-torn and ravaged Syria. And now, with the Trump decision, the US has become a third country.
History has told the world how there’s been a notable presence of anti-Americanism, but at the end of the day, most nations understood that an alliance with the US would enhance, not diminish their peace and prosperity.
What has been embraced by other nations: the secret of American success: “it is a relatively benign superpower that championed a vision of human dignity that appealed to ordinary people everywhere around the globe.”
Deplorably, Trump has acted so oblivious to the above-established earned secret over the numerous decades that America has worked so hard to earn.
Trump sees each international treaty as a racket, and every alliance as a rip-off.
Yet, the truth stares at Trump “by destroying the unprecedented power and wealth America has accumulated by its own efforts and skills as it joined other nations.”
Were the US to pursue a “me first” policy, then it won’t be difficult to see why every country in the world will do the same — the result would redound to international lawlessness.
More analysts predict predatory states such as Iran, Russia and China will do well in the resulting chaos, while the US allies (should there still be any left) will inevitably suffer.
If history’s guidance is sought, America will not be able to stay aloof from the consequences of the new disorder. Trade and security that have been established by America will be imperiled.
The ultimate scene that will unfold: the United States will likely be drawn into conflicts that could have been avoided had it maintained its well-known position as Leader of the Free World, such a hard-won achievement that Trump has obviously been intent on throwing away with characteristic recklessness and thoughtlessness accompanied by obvious ignorance.
Three adjectives have been prominently aired in reference to the Trump withdrawal from the Paris accord: America will be sicker, poorer and less secure.
Trump has been surrounded by his choice of generals, along with business leaders, scientists and the like who have reiterated that the effects of climate change without strong efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will destabilize much of the world.
In his announcement to leave the Paris Accord, Trump said in strong terms how he was “elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.”
In all likelihood, Trump did not realize the truth, or perhaps he simply doesn’t care.
Would the citizens of Pittsburgh suffer for the Trump mistake along with everyone else on the planet?